Who Were the 21 Martyrs of Libya? The Men Who Would Not Deny Christ
In February 2015, Islamic State killed 20 Egyptian Coptic workers and a man from Ghana on a Libyan beach. Their story has become one of the best-known witnesses of faith in modern times
The short answer
The 21 martyrs of Libya were 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians and one man from Ghana, killed by the Islamic State group on a Libyan beach; IS published the video on 15 February 2015. Most were labourers who had gone to Libya for work. Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church declared them saints and martyrs in February 2015, and on 11 May 2023 Pope Francis announced they would be added to the Catholic Church's Roman Martyrology. Both churches remember them on 15 February. A church dedicated to them opened in 2018 in the Egyptian village of al-Our, home to 13 of the men.
On 15 February 2015, the so-called Islamic State published a video from a beach in Libya showing the killing of 21 men who had been held captive because they were Christians.
They are remembered because they would not deny Christ.
Who They Were
"The 21 martyrs of Libya — 20 Egyptian Copts and a Ghanaian — were killed by Islamic State in February 2015 after refusing to deny Christ. The Coptic and Catholic churches honour them as saints on 15 February."
Click to copy and shareTwenty of the men were Coptic Christians from Egypt — mostly young labourers who had gone to Libya to find work and send money home to their families. Thirteen came from a single village, al-Our, in Egypt's Minya province.
The twenty-first was a man from Ghana — the only one of the 21 who was not a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church. He died alongside them, and both churches honour him with them.
How the Church Responded
In February 2015, Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church formally declared the 21 saints and martyrs.
In 2018, a Coptic Orthodox church dedicated to the 21 Martyrs of Libya opened in al-Our.
On 11 May 2023, Pope Francis announced that the 21 would be added to the Catholic Church's Roman Martyrology, as a sign of the spiritual communion between the two churches. Both now remember them on 15 February.
Why Their Story Still Matters
The video was meant to spread fear. Instead, it became one of the most widely known testimonies of faith of our time — a reminder that the early church's courage is not only history.
It still happens. In 2026, Open Doors reported that Milad Malak, a 20-year-old Coptic deacon who had also gone to Libya for work, was reportedly killed by IS after refusing to deny Jesus. Open Doors' World Watch List still counts thousands of Christians killed for their faith every year.
What Is a Martyr?
The word martyr comes from the Greek martys — simply, a witness. In the New Testament it first means someone who testifies to what they have seen (Acts 1:8). Over time it came to mean those whose testimony cost them their lives — beginning with Stephen, who prayed for his killers as he died (Acts 7:59-60).
Christians don't seek death. But Jesus said that following Him might cost everything, and promised that it would be worth it: "Whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25).
How to Honour the 21
- Pray for Christians in Egypt, Libya and wherever faith is costly — our guide on how to pray for the persecuted church can help.
- Remember them on 15 February, and tell their story.
- Ask yourself the question they answered: who is Jesus to me? Our guide Who is Jesus? is a good place to start.
The 21 martyrs of Libya — 20 Egyptian Copts and a Ghanaian — were killed by Islamic State in February 2015 after refusing to deny Christ. The Coptic and Catholic churches honour them as saints on 15 February.
Biblical Perspective
"Whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death" (Revelation 12:11).
"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
— Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord Jesus, thank You for the faith of the 21 and for every witness who would not deny You. Comfort their families, strengthen Christians in Egypt and Libya, and give us the same love for You. Turn the hearts of those who persecute Your church. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›They overcame by the blood of the Lamb!
- ›Jesus is worth everything!
- ›The witness of the faithful will never be silenced!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Coptic Christians in Egypt this week.
- 2Mark 15 February in your calendar to remember the 21.
- 3Read Acts 7 — the story of Stephen, the first martyr.
"21 men on a Libyan beach would not deny Christ. Who were the 21 martyrs of Libya — and why does their story still matter?"
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
Who were the 21 martyrs of Libya?
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Twenty Egyptian Coptic Christians and one man from Ghana killed by the Islamic State group on a beach in Libya; IS published the video on 15 February 2015. Most were labourers who had gone to Libya for work, and 13 came from the village of al-Our in Egypt.
Are the 21 martyrs saints?
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Yes. Pope Tawadros II declared them saints and martyrs of the Coptic Orthodox Church in February 2015, and on 11 May 2023 Pope Francis announced they would be added to the Catholic Church's Roman Martyrology. Both churches remember them on 15 February.
What does martyr mean?
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Martyr comes from the Greek martys, meaning "witness." In Christian use it came to mean someone who is killed for their testimony to Jesus, beginning with Stephen in Acts 7.
Sources & further reading
- 1.21 Coptic Christian Martyrs of LibyaWikipedia
- 2.Coptic Martyrs of Libya added to the Roman Martyrology of the Catholic ChurchAid to the Church in Need Ireland
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
Topics:
"They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
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